Assam Class 10 Exam Question Rouses Communal Bias Charges

A row has been sparked by a Class 10 question in Assam, which has been accused of communal bias. The Education Minister is backing the question and calling it harmless. The SEBA has been criticized for how it handled things, with calls for increased scrutiny. Students and teachers have spoken out in anger and dismay, with some calling for increased sensitivity and inclusiveness in school material. An investigation is ongoing, and previous years' question papers can be downloaded from the SEBA website.

In response, the state’s education minister has claimed the question was meant to test if students knew that India is a secular country.

The question in SEBA's social science exam for Class 10 students conducted on Thursday was: "Suppose, the government has established a hospital in a village named Dambuk. The hospital gives free treatment to the Hindus. The people of other religions have to pay for the treatment themselves. Can the government do this in a nation like India? Give your opinion".

The question had three marks. Following a group of social media users accused it of promoting religious divisiveness, Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu reacted by terming the debate "unnecessary."

Constitution Preamble does not permit any discrimination. Without discrimination to anyone, we are following the policy of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas'. Now, one has to try and check whether students possess that information or not, that there is no discrimination permitted on grounds of religion, caste or language in Assam. There is nothing to argue or get offended about," he added